It’s hard to believe we’re in the final months of 2021. It feels like just yesterday we were heading into spring with fresh trails, rested legs, and a season full of races! Unlike 2020, many of us were likely able to run at least one or two races this season, as the regression of COVID-19 and increasing vaccination rates gave race directors the confidence to host events. But here we are with only a few fall races left, wondering as always, how to take advantage of this slower, colder season. Easing into the off season is difficult. Full stop. But…

While a mild Maine winter started the trail season a little early, it’s officially the most wonderful time of the year for avid trail runners, hikers and bikers. The little remaining snow and ice have cleared, leaving trails mostly passable and ready for a busy year. However, before you lace up your trail shoes and liberally douse yourself in bug spray, take a moment to brush up on some trail etiquette. Don’t leave your takeout on the trail In the past week alone I’ve caught my puppy trying to sneak a plastic “Chill Zone” cup (shout out to the nearby…

It’s our completely unfounded opinion that routine-oriented runners fared much better than goal oriented in 2020. The loss of events and group runs played havoc with the goal oriented runners out there. Nothing to plan around. No competition to stoke the fire and make the pain and effort worth enduring. Some just wallowed in the aimlessness, while others piled on mileage in very unsupervised fashion, and ended up burned out or injured. It was entirely legitimate to grieve #goals last year. But we want to highlight the positives that can grow from drawing motivation from within, without reliance on external…

Photos by Kristen Michaud, Lead The Way Photography “It’s better to burn out, than it is to fade away,” so says Neil Young, but that was before COVID. 2020 has been a physical and mental test of our endurance. Few or no races, limited socializing, carefully managed group runs. We are all likely pretty burned out, and not in a good way! To be burned out can mean different things to various runners, but regardless of their level of activity, runners often realize they’re burned out when it’s too late. When an easy run turns into the hardest workout of…

“Shirts!” “Skins!” It instantly conjures up sultry heat, sweat, and pick-up basketball or soccer games, as common as ice cream in summer. It’s also almost exclusively male territory. Men tend to pull off their shirts in public spaces with little thought, and seemingly no repercussions. That’s not to say men aren’t body conscious, they certainly are, but it’s a different awareness. Men generally don’t get catcalled, openly stared at, followed, groped or told that they “must have wanted people to look.” So it makes sense that there are few topics among women more charged and emotional than the decision to…

During March and April, more than 15 members of the Runaways Run Club completed a F(ans of) U(nlimited) K(udos) 55K ultra-marathon, solo. Double that number completed the F@ck Corona Run Club challenge, featuring 10 “races” ranging in distance from 1K to 10K. During May and early June, many club members are exploring nearby towns, cities, trails, and local landmarks to complete the Tour de Maine challenge, still solo. Day after day, the running community continues hitting the trails and the pavement, despite a non-existent race season, and cancellation of group runs and gatherings. The lack of in-person motivation and encouragement…